Smirnoff's Pure Campaign

The spot above focuses on music and bringing in the different elements of sound, just like an orchestra to make beautiful music. The commercial features Pharrell and the idea of a blank canvas to bring together different musical elements to make music that sounds great when working in harmony. Pharrell brings different musicians, with different musical styles together by simply snapping his fingers.

A surprising bit of information I discovered is that this campaign or at least this particular spot was aimed at the Australian market. This could explain why the ad agency behind the spot is Leo Burnett in Sydney, Australia. Supposedly, Pharrell takes the audience on a journey of discovery on how his mixes are created. Giving them a behind the scene view on how his music is created.

The origins of the campaign’s basic idea lie in how one bartender mixes drinks beginning with “Pure Smirnoff vodka.”  They use the metaphor of a blank canvas as pure. Smirnoff Australia also has its very own Facebook page that you can like.

What do you guys think of "Pure" as the big idea in an ad campaign?

Best,

-A.B.

Controversy with Calvin Kline Ad, Again

The ad shown above has brought controversy to the designer’s brand once again. CK has apparently had a number of ads brought into question over the years. The ad above was banned in Australia for suggesting rape. Some up-tight, authoritarian figure in the Advertising Standards Bureau thought the ad suggested a gang rape of the pretty lady above.

To me, the ad could have easily been mistaken for a promotional poster for a new season of True Blood. Please take a look at the image below and look at how similar the images look. The pretty ladies in both ads are situated in a manner that looks extremely submissive, but I never heard of an outcry against True Blood. The image for the show above even has some pretty suggestive copy to go along with the image. I wonder if the show went through the same scrutiny in Australia? Granted, Calvin Klein has had a history of pushing the acceptable limits when it comes to sexually charged advertising.

By the way, Calvin Klein has its own in-house agency, CRK Advertising. I believe the ad agency was responsible for the Brook Shields crotch ad. Also, see more from the new campaign featuring Laura Stone. Finally, I am not condemning the people who created the work, everyone involved is an adult and can make their own decisions. Also, we all know if one thing is true in advertising, it is that sex sells.

Would we be giving the ad above any attention if it didn't have any?

Best,
A.B.

Dirty, Dirty Dishes

It must be celebrate Australia day here at Inside That Ad. The ad above is a creative attempt to promote dishwashing soap. The reason I felt I did to write a post on this ad by DDB Group Melbourne is because I had to watch the commercial a couple of times before I figured out what they were selling. The spot is selling dishwashing soap but first thought they were selling male adult services for the ladies, then I thought maybe they are promoting an adoption agency, and finally the soap.

Oh, and I also thought they making fun of the man’s sexual orientation but no they were just trying to sell soap. But it took a couple of times watching the spot to understand what they were selling.

What do you guys think? Also, the product also has a funny site propping it up, click here.


Best,
A.B.

The Death Spot

I saw the spot above on Adfreak and had to talk about it here because I have never seen an ad promoting euthanasia before. Now, the first thing you should know is that euthanasia is illegal in Australia, where the spot aired.

I had to do a little research to find out that assisted suicide is legal in some U.S. states like Oregon, Washington and Montana. You have to realize that there is a difference between euthanasia and assisted suicide. In assisted suicide doctors are simply helping the patient carry out his or her wishes but in euthanasia the administrator or doctor is doing it for them.

Also, there are actually two places where euthanasia is legal and they are the Netherlands and Belgium.

But what was the ultimate goal of this spot? Was it to get the Australian government to change their stance on the matter? Or were they promoting some sort of service? And how did the spot get approval for airing in the first place? The ad was eventually pulled.

The spot wasn’t very creative in my opinion. The guy wanting to be euthanized didn’t look that ill. From what the woman behind him was doing in the room, he might have simply had the common cold.

Finally, the group responsible for the spot was Exit International. Anyway, let me know what you guys think.

Best,
-A.B.

Australian Cancer PSA

I ran across a rap music video on cancer of all things. I discovered the piece on another advertising blog and thought I should share some of my opinions on the video. Oh and by the way that other blog I follow is adfreak.



As you can probably tell it is a Youtube video, the title on YouTube claims that it was too hot for TV. The music video was made by Australian rapper Al Bino as a PSA, as a reminder to protect yourself from the sun. It is currently summer time down under. According to adfreak the video was meant as a PSA.

But why would the music video be too hot for TV I wonder? The video did feature a vile looking sore with hideous teeth singing about the dangers of the sun. Was it too graphic for Australian TV? Would this have passed the Federal Communications Commission’s standards (FCC)?

I think the video will serve its purpose and that is to help young people remember to protect themselves from the sun? The graphic images will definitely grab their attention. So why not show it on TV?

Best,
A.B.